Parent and Child Balloon Technique for Navigating Guide Catheters During Neurointerventions.

BACKGROUND: The stabilization of a guide catheter is an important factor for performing successful neurointerventional procedures. We present our technique for navigating guide catheters using parent and child balloons.

METHODS: In 9 patients with severe atherosclerosis or anatomic variations such as a bovine arch, 8-9-F balloon-mounted guide catheters were navigated using balloon-attached guidewires. Both balloons were used complementarily for flow navigation and vessel fixation at the appropriate positions and times.

RESULTS: In all cases, the balloon guide catheter could be inserted up to the required positions, and the procedures were completed without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS: The parent and child balloon technique is useful for inserting guide catheters in hostile vascular anatomies.